(Solved) Image a Windows M2 SSD from Q4OS Gemini.

globetrotterdk · 2021-10-23 15:28

I need to replace my Windows M2 SSD for a larger model. How can I image the drive from within a Q4OS Germini system and then restore Windows when I have installed the larger M2 SSD? I have a dual boot system with Q4OS on a separate M2 SSD, so I would prefer doing this from Q4OS rather than using something like Clonezilla, where I would need to purchase an extra external HDD as well, to use as a target for the image...

...

Can I assume something like the following could be part of the solution:

# dd if=/dev/nvme0n1 | gzip -c > /user/Downloads/backup_nvme0n1.img.gz

if so, then should I follow that with:

gunzip -c /user/Downloads/backup_nvme0n1.img.gz | dd of=/dev/nvme0n1

????

Last edited by globetrotterdk (2021-10-27 17:52)

globetrotterdk · 2021-10-24 17:41

OK, it appears that I was successful in imaging my Windows 10 drive. Here is what I did:
1) I followed my tip on how to mount a partition as user after install.
2) I ran the following, referencing my newly mounted partition:

$ sudo dd if=/dev/nvme0n1 | gzip -c > ~/data/backup_nvme0n1.img.gz

It took about 2 1/2 hours on modern hardware and ended up with a file slightly over 410 GB from a 500 GB M2 SSD. I have to assume that the image was created successfully at that size, however I will first know when I try to restore the image onto the new 2 TB M2 SSD. Hopefully the drive will have arrived tomorrow...

I assume that the restore code to the new drive should be:

$ sudo gunzip -c ~/data/backup_nvme0n1.img.gz | dd of=/dev/nvme0n1

globetrotterdk · 2021-10-27 16:05

OK, it took me a while to get the M.2 SSD installed, as the placement of the slots and their accessibility aren't very clear on my Asus PRIME Z390-A motherboard. I first had to download a diagram, and then install the M.2 drive. I tried running:

$ sudo gunzip -c ~/data/backup_nvme0n1.img.gz | dd of=/dev/nvme0n1

but was refused access, so I ended up running:

$ su -
# gunzip -c full/path/to/backup_nvme0n1.img.gz | dd of=/dev/nvme0n1

It is still running as I write this, so I will first be able to confirm this later. I would also like to point out that I have a related issue that as yet remains unsolved:
Grub refuses to detect Windows bootloader - Q4OS Gemini.
Any feedback is appreciated.

Q4OS Forum

#1 2021-10-23 15:28

(Solved) Image a Windows M2 SSD from Q4OS Gemini.

#2 2021-10-24 17:41

Re: (Solved) Image a Windows M2 SSD from Q4OS Gemini.

#3 2021-10-27 16:05

Re: (Solved) Image a Windows M2 SSD from Q4OS Gemini.

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